1976 Topps #551 - Jerry DaVanon

• Jerry DaVanon was a utility infielder in parts of eight seasons from 1969-1977. Jerry was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1966. He played in the minors from 1966-1968 and then was chosen by the San Diego Padres in the expansion draft. 
• DaVanon played in 24 games for the Padres in 1969 and batted .136 in 59 at bats. On May 22 DaVanon was traded back to the Cardinals. Jerry was sent to AAA Tulsa where he batted .281 in 79 games. DaVanon came back to the Cardinals in September and batted .300 in 40 AB.
• Jerry spent most of the 1970 season in Tulsa. He batted .111 (2 for 18) with the Cardinals in 11 games at the end of the season. After the 1970 season DaVanon was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Moe Drabowsky.
• DaVanon stayed with the Orioles for the entire 1971 season but he didn't get much playing time. Jerry batted .235 in 81 at bats during the regular season and didn't see any action during the postseason.
• DaVanon started the 1972 season in AAA Rochester. On June 10 Jerry was traded to the California Angels for Roger Repoz. The Angels sent DaVanon to AAA Salt Lake City, which is where he spent the rest of the season.
• Jerry started the 1973 season with the Angels and batted .245 in 49 at bats. DaVanon was sent back to Salt Lake City in late July and played there until he was traded to the Cardinals for Bill Stein in late September.
• The Cardinals assigned Jerry to Tulsa to start the 1974 season and he stayed there until mid-July. DaVanon batted .150 in 40 AB for the Cardinals in 1974.
• Jerry was sold to the Detroit Tigers in January 1975. A few weeks later he was released and signed with the Cleveland Indians. On April 9, 1975 DaVanon was sold to the Houston Astros. Jerry played for AAA Iowa for the first part of the 1975 season and was recalled to Houston in early August. DaVanon batted .278 in 32 games for the Astros in 1975.
• DaVanon stayed with the Astros for the entire 1976 season. He batted .290 in 107 at bats and was traded back to the Cardinals after the season for Joe Ferguson and Bob Detherage.
• In 1977 Jerry went 0 for 8 for the Cardinals and was released on May 11.
• Here is a 2005 interview with DaVanon. Jerry taught high school social studies during the off season and after his playing career he became a sales rep. DaVanon now referees high school basketball games.
• Jerry is the father of current major leaguer Jeff DaVanon.
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